Brooke’s Point officials have sent a letter to the Indigenous People Development Organization-BICAMM asking the group to explain how more than ₱74 million in mining royalty funds was spent, citing the need for transparency and a full public accounting.
Vice Mayor Mary Jean Feliciano anticipates a prompt response from the Indigenous People Development Organization-Barong-Barong, Ipilan, Calasaguen, Aribungos, Maasin, Mambalot (IPDO BICAMM) following her letter sent on December 2.
This followed the decision made by the municipal council of Brooke’s Point on December 1 to send a letter to the indigenous association, as proposed by Councilor Nathan Lacanilao.
The letter pertains to Feliciano’s request for transparency regarding the allocation of over ₱74 million in royalty shares from the indigenous people, associated with Ipilan Nickel Corporation, which she mentioned in her privilege speech.
“Ito ay patungkol sa mga patuloy na katanungan at paglinaw mula sa mga lehtimong katutubo ng Brooke’s Point hinggil sa pamamahala ng paggastos ng royalty share mula sa lpilan Nickel Corporation, sa ngalan ng transparency at accountabilty,” her letter to the IPDO-BICAMM stated.
Feliciano added that it is also a right and privilege for all indigenous peoples and citizens of Brooke’s Point to know where this amount went under the implementation of the Community Royalty and Development Program (CRDP).
“Mahalaga ang malinaw at kumpletong sagot tungkol sa paggamit ng mga pondong ito, ang halagang ito ay nagmula sa likas na yaman mula sa ating kabundukan at dapat na pinangangasiwaan at ginagasta sa paraang magpapaunlad at tunay na makikinabang ang nakararami sa katutubong komunidad,” she further stated.
It can be recalled that on November 24, IPDO-BICAMM President Julhadi Titte stated before the council that they were ready to respond to Feliciano’s request to provide a complete report and documents regarding the expenditure of the said amount.
Palawan News is still trying to get a response from IPDO-BICAMM regarding when they will respond to Feliciano’s letter, which they received at their office on December 2.
